Round-Up: Elliott returns in style on Epynt
Elliott returns in style on Epynt
Nick Elliott and Dave Price (Pictured) made a perfect return to rallying on the asphalt roads of the Epynt ranges in mid-Wales to finish top of the FUCHS LUBRICANTS Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship contenders on round five, the Harry Flatters Rally.
The Brecon Motor Club event marked the first asphalt rally of the championship season after the opening four gravel rounds.
At the end of a tense and exciting event, the top four BHRC crews were covered by just 11 seconds as Elliott/Price headed the similar Ford Escort Mk2s of Joe Price/Chris Brooks and Simon Webster/Jez Rogers and the flying Triumph TR7 V8 of David Kynaston/Val Thompson. Elliott’s winning margin after nearly an hour of rallying was just three seconds while Price edged Webster by one second as Webster clawed back eight seconds on the final stage.
Through the afternoon stages, Price belied his limited asphalt experience to set a fierce pace and grab a one-second lead going into the final stage. However, a gearbox problem cost him a little time and Elliott was four seconds quicker to snatch victory. Elliott was making a welcome return to rallying after an enforced three-month sabbatical due to a wrist-breaking accident on the Pirelli Rally at the end of April so BHRC victory on Epynt was the perfect way to rejoin the sport.
It was a day of immense competition in dry conditions over the challenging roads and Webster was relieved to finish after a high-speed off that could have gone badly wrong. Damage to the rear of the car showed they had been lucky after a tremendous performance that takes them into a narrow championship lead from Rudi Lancaster and Steve Bennett, who both took strong finishes on Epynt.
Ranged against the Escort hordes was Kynaston’s Triumph TR7 V8 and he had a brilliant day to give the TR its best BHRC result to date, finishing just seven seconds down on Webster.
However, it was not a good day for the Irish contingent as Stanley Orr/Grahame Henderson made the pace for much of the day in their Ford Escort Mk1 before retiring late in the rally with failing oil pressure. That non-finish is a big blow to Orr’s title bid, but he will aim to get back on track on the next round, his home event of the Ulster Rally in mid-August. Meanwhile, Adrian Hetherington and Ronan O’Neill were hobbled by major transmission problems early in the rally.
Among the classes, Chris Skill/Tom Murphy (Escort Mk1) took class C5 and other class wins went to Malcolm and Ron Mounsey (Talbot Sunbeam) and Bob Bean and Malcolm Smithson in their Category 1 Ford Lotus Cortina.
Kirkham takes part in Carfest North extravaganza
Fuchs backed driver Neil Kirkham was invited to display his Gartrac Ford Escort Mk 3 at last weekend’s Carfest North held at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire. He was blown away by the interest shown in his car on the display stands, and was only too pleased to host demonstration rides for passengers in his lovely example of a rare Escort on the rally stage. Each passenger made a donation to the Children in Need charity.
Morgan ready for Snetterton
Ciceley Motorsport ace Adam Morgan is hoping to put his frustrating first half of the season behind him as he returns to BTCC action at Snetterton this weekend.
Morgan is currently 15thin the championship having endured a torrid time of late.
Morgan was in action in the Mini Celebration Trophy last weekend at the Silverstone Classic.
And he enjoyed his time in the Morris Mini Cooper S, finishing third and first.
BSB Thruxton bound
The PBM Be Wiser Ducati Race Team will be looking to add to their amazing tally of 101 British Superbike Championship race wins as the competition heads to Thruxton.
The Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team, meanwhile, will be competing with the new line-up of Hector Barbera and Ben Currie.
And BMW Smith Racing’s Peter Hickman will be attempting to close the gap on the Showdown places.
Freddie lines up on world class grid
Karting prospect Freddie Housley made a few mistakes in round three of the IAME Euro Series in Germany but was still happy with his 23rdplace finish against a world class grid.
Freddie continues to show big improvements.
Success for Carl at Donington
Carl Vickers enjoyed a cracking meeting at Donington Park at the Thundersport Golden Era Supersport & Steelsport.
The heavens opened during qualifying, putting Carl 10th in class and 12th overall.
Carl brought the bike home in eighth in class in race one and followed that up with an excellent P4 in class having opted for dry tyres. That gave Carl some much-needed points in the championship.
Carl managed a P7 and a P8 in wet conditions the following day.
Next up for the team is a trip to Anglesey.
Pastures new for Glenn Irwin
British Superbike Championship rider, Glenn Irwinn and the FUCHS Silkolene sponsored Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team have parted ways by mutual consent.
After a tough season so far in the BSB Championship, Irwin and the team have decided that it is best for both parties if they continue their hunt for success separately.
Glenn has since signed for the Tyco BMW team.
Kawasaki Motors UK Senior Racing Coordinator, Ross Burridge said: “I would like to personally thank Glenn for his efforts in trying to turn his season around and for his tremendous achievement at the Northwest 200. Best of luck in what the future holds for you Glenn.”
Ain’t No Limits for Silkolene-backed team
FUCHS Silkolene-backed No Limits Racing completed the 10-hour race in Anglesey on the weekend.
The team completed 362 race laps, 760 race miles, with 13 rider stints.
Kasey Wyatt, Elliot Lodge and Max Smith-Halvorsen did exceptionally well, winning the Twins Class, coming second in the National 600 Class and 15thoverall from 42 finishers.
